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MURRAY CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
SOIL HEALTH
MONITORING KIT
MANUAL
2
SOIL HEALTH MONITORING KIT
Published by
Murray Catchment Management Authority
PO Box 797, Albury NSW, 2640.
www.murray.cma.nsw.gov.au
February 2012
Acknowledgements: This manual was prepared by the Murray Catchment Management Authority with the
assistance of Jane Gudde, Sandy Dellwo, Nathan Heath, Felicity Anderson, Hannah Lloyd & Tom
Macindoe.
DISCLAIMER: This manual may be of assistance to you but the Murray Catchment Management Authority and
its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaws of any kind or is wholly
appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or
other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
• INTRODUCTION 3
• ESTABLISHING YOUR MONITORING SITE 4
• SOIL SAMPLING FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS 5
• BULK DENSITY 7
• WATER INFILTRATION 9
• SOIL TEXTURE 11
• SOIL STRUCTURE 13
• SOIL AGGREGATE STABILITY 15
• SOIL PH 17
• GROUNDCOVER ASSESSMENT 21
• DATA SHEET 23
• SITE PLAN: SITE 1 25
• SITE PLAN: SITE 2 26
• EARTHWORMS 19
CONTENTS
3
INTRODUCTION
This Manual is to be used in conjunction with the ‘Soil Health Monitoring Kit’ and provides
protocols for the monitoring of soil. In addition to procedures for eight soil tests, the Manual
includes how to select sites, how to take a soil sample for laboratory analysis and a score card
for you to record your observations on. There are also a series of YouTube clips to accompany
each test in the Manual; enter Murray CMA Soil Monitoring Kit and the corresponding test
number into YouTube (e.g. Murray CMA Soil Monitoring Kit Test 3) and the clip should appear.
The monitoring techniques described in this manual can be used for a variety of purposes:
• Monitoring soil over time;
• Investigating production differences within a paddock;
• Guiding paddock management; or
• To use as a demonstration for other landholders.
Timing
It is important to sample at the same time of year, preferably from winter to mid-spring. The
soil should be moist but not wet. Wait at least two days after a significant rainfall event.
Once the user is familiar with the tests, monitoring can be extended to other times of year.
Some activities such as earthworm counts, groundcover assessment and the soil structure test
can be incorporated into daily work activities.
The tests should be performed in the order in which they are provided in the manual.
Equipment
Soil Health Monitoring Kit Additional Equipment Needed
• Penetrometer
• Tape measure
• Infiltrometer (PVC pipe)
• Magnifying glass
• Petri dish x 2
• Stopwatch
• Core sampler
• pH test kit
• Distilled or tap water (not bore water)
• 120 ml plastic container x 2
• Calico sample bags x 2
• Groundcover data sheets
• Spade or shovel
• Container for holding at least 5 litres of
water
• Plastic bags
• Small board/ piece of wood
• Large plastic basin (about 35 x 35 x 20 cm)
• Hammer
• Trowel or Knife
• Camera (optional)
• Mortar and pestle (optional)
4
(1) HOW TO ESTABLISH YOUR MONITORING SITE Land Management Units
Before undertaking your soil monitoring spend some time dividing your sampling area up into
land management units. These are areas that have similarities in their physical characteristics
and the way they are managed. For example, these units may be based on the slope of the land,
or they could be based on significant differences in soil type or yield across a property.
Diagram: Example diagram representing transect lines within land management units.
Transect Lines
Within each land management unit, select two areas to be sampled (diagram above) and
establish a 100m transect line. These transects should be located on land that is typical for the
land management unit and does not cross stock camps, watercourses, dams, troughs, shelter
belts, gateways or headlands. Ensure the transect runs at a 45° angle to any rows of stubble, so
as you are walking across any stubble rows, not up and down, or directly across. The position of
the endpoints of the transects should be recorded and written down either on a farm map
stating paddock name, date and time, or by using a GPS recording device.
Use objects in the landscape that line up (e.g. paddock tree, power line or windmill) to help
triangulate your starting points and record these in your notes. Better still, take a photo looking
along the transect or GPS reference the starting point.
5
A sample submission sheet should also be completed for each sample in the format of the
example shown below:
(2) HOW TO TAKE A SOIL SAMPLE FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS
What is it?
A soil sample is a representative collection of soil from your paddock/farm.
Why is it important?
Soil testing is done on farms for two main purposes:
1. To establish the fertility or fertiliser and lime requirements of a particular portion or
paddock of your farm, such as prior to sowing of a crop or new pasture.
2. To monitor changes in your soil over time in response to management changes e.g.
fertiliser or lime application, moving from set stocking to rotational grazing.
Note
Timing of soil testing is important:
• Sample at the same time of the year each time you test - soil moisture content will affect the
results, so test at a time of year when the soil is likely to be in a similar moisture state to
previous tests;
• Avoid soils that are too wet or too dry;
• Allow at least 3-4 months after your last fertiliser application (e.g. early spring or early
autumn);
• Remember that it can take between 3-6 weeks to get the results back so allow yourself
plenty of time before you need to act on the information.
Sample name: ‘Highland Park Sample 1’
Date of sampling: 7/12/2011
Land management unit: Creek flats
Paddock sampled: Creek Paddock
Sampling depth: 0-10cm
Current crop/ pasture: Lucerne
Proposed crop/ pasture: Oats
6
Creek Paddock
‘Highland Park’
J. Smith
12 December 2011
(2) HOW TO TAKE A SOIL SAMPLE FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit
• Soil corer
• Calico bags
STEPS
1. Begin at the start of your transect.
2. Stand on the soil corer footplate until the
footplate is level with the soil surface.
3. Remove the soil corer and place the 10cm
soil core in the calico bag.
4. Continue collecting samples into the same
bag at 10m intervals along the transect
until 10 samples are taken.
5. Clearly label the bag with the paddock
and property name, the name of the
owner or manager, the date and tie it
securely.
Example of label:
N.B.
• If samples cannot be sent away for testing
on the same day they should be laid out
on newspaper, or in plastic/aluminium
trays, and be gently broken up by hand
and air dried. Ensure samples cannot be
mixed and remain correctly and securely
labelled at all times.
• It is your responsibility to organise
laboratory soil testing, not the Murray
CMA’s.
NOTES
• Ensure all samples are the FULL 10cm in length.
• In harder soils you may need to move the handle from side to side while maintaining pressure on the
footplate.
• Difficulty using the corer may mean the soil is too wet or too dry.
7
Diagram: The effects of soil compaction on plant establishment and root growth.
Tube A has a low bulk density (BD) value 0.7 g/cm³; Tube B has a medium BD value
1.1 g/cm³; Tube C has a high BD value 1.6 g/cm³.
(3) HOW TO MEASURE BULK DENSITY
What is it?
Bulk density (BD) measures the weight of soil in a given volume. It indicates the degree to which
the soil is compacted, which affects root growth and water infiltration.
Why is it important?
It is strongly related to soil structure and is necessary for calculating the carbon content of the
soil. Generally, soils with BD values greater than 1.6 g/cm³ tend to restrict root growth. Sandy
soils commonly have higher BD values (1.3 -1.7 g/cm³) than fine silts and clays (1.1-1.6 g/cm³).
Note
• When measuring soil bulk density by following the method explained on page 10, the sample
should be collected from at least 2 sites along the 100m transect, ideally at the points
approximately one- and two-thirds along the transect (i.e. site 1 at 30m and site 2 at 70m
along the transect).
A B C
8
(3) HOW TO MEASURE BULK DENSITY
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit Other
• Metal ring
• Score card (p23)
• Hammer
• Spade or trowel
• Scissors
• Flat piece of wood
• Plastic bag
• Knife
• Marker pen
STEPS
4. Using a knife cut ring away
from soil surface, retaining
all soil core in the ring.
1. With scissors clear the
surface of a 15cm x 15cm
level, horizontal area.
7. Label the bag with: “Bulk
Density”; 0-5cm depth; and
the ID of the transect line.
8. For the sample at 5-10cm
depth, repeat steps 2 to 7
at the same site.
9. Place the core in a separate
bag marked as in step 7 but
with the 5-10cm depth.
5. Carefully remove excess soil
ensuring the core is flush
with the ring at both ends.
6. Put the soil core into a
plastic bag.
2. Use the wood to gently
hammer in the ring until it’s
level with the soil surface.
3. Use the spade to clear soil
around the ring until it’s
level with surrounding soil.
NOTES
Step 2: Avoid pressing down on the soil in any way.
Step 5: If any soil falls out during the removal of the ring, replace it with the equivalent amount of soil
from the area sampled.
Other: Consult appropriate personnel to conduct bulk density calculations.
9
(4) HOW TO MEASURE INFILTRATION
What is it?
Measures the length of time taken for a fixed volume of water to soak into the soil,
representing the ease with which rainfall enters the soil.
Why is it important?
Water is less likely to be lost through run-off or evaporation and will be more available to plant
roots and soil organisms if it is able to infiltrate soil readily. Soil that does not easily accept
water may have a low organic matter content, suffer from structural problems (e.g. compaction
from overgrazing or over cultivation) and/or textural factors (e.g. some sandy soils can be
hydrophobic, meaning they repel water). Soils of this description can benefit from increasing
the level of organic matter (e.g. via composting or a green manure crop), changed management
practices (e.g. rotational grazing and minimum tillage) and/or clay additions.
Note
• If the soil is dry, you should wet it first or else follow the procedure on page 8 twice,
recording the results the second time. Allow at least 2 days after a heavy rainfall before
carrying out the infiltration test.
Diagram: The influence of soil structure and texture on infiltration. Sandy soils with a single
grained or granular structure will promote higher infiltration rates due to larger soil pores than
soils with a high clay content and blocky or compacted (platy) structure.
10
(4) HOW TO MEASURE INFILTRATION
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit Other
• PVC pipe
• Stopwatch
• Score card (p23)
• Bucket with water
• Hammer
• Block of wood
• Pen
STEPS
Average time (minutes) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
Infiltration rate (mm/hr) 384 192 128 96 77 64 55 48 43 38 35 32 30 27 26 24 23 21 20 19
NOTE: Infiltration rate (mm/hr) = (32 mm X 60) / time (mins)
4. Using the bucket, fill the
pipe with water right to the
top.
1. Note the location of the 3
lines marked on the inside
of the pipe.
7. Stop timing when the final
line is reached and record
the time.
8. Average the two recorded
times (time taken from line
1 to 2 & from line 2 to 3).
For Example:
Time Taken
Line 1 to Line 2 = 35 minutes
Line 2 to Line 3 = 22 minutes
Therefore:
(35 + 22) / 2 = 28 minutes: 30 seconds
9. Use the table below to
estimate the infiltration
rate in millimetres per hour.
For Example:
28 minutes: 30 seconds is closest to 30
minutes in the table.
Therefore the infiltration rate
= 64 millimetres per hour
5. Start the stopwatch when
the water level reaches the
first line.
6. When the surface of the
water reaches the next line,
record the time.
2. Find an area where there
are no cracks or holes in the
ground.
3. Push the pipe into the soil
level with the outside line
(ensure it stays level).
N.B. If the waterline fails to move after 1 hour, stop recording.
11
(5) HOW TO MEASURE SOIL TEXTURE
What is it?
Soil texture is an estimate of the proportions of sand, silt and clay in the soil.
Why is it important?
Soil texture is important because it strongly influences soil structure, particularly in the soil
surface layers. It can also affect plant emergence, water infiltration, percolation, soil water and
nutrient holding capacity, ease of tillage, and the behaviour of some herbicides.
Soil texture can be determined by measuring the behaviour of a small handful of soil when
moistened and kneaded into a ball (or bolus) and pressed out to form a ribbon of soil about
2 mm thick between the thumb and forefinger. The table below provides a summary of the six
main soil texture classes.
Note
• If the soil is high in clay (i.e. >40%), it may be necessary to break it up e.g. by using a
mortar and pestle, then work the soil for several minutes prior to determining texture.
Table. Broad field texture classes (Mckenzie et al., 2004).
*Definitions (Southern Irrigators SOILpak, 1999)
- Coherence: the ball holds together.
- Plastic: typical of clay soils; feel is not dissimilar to plasticine.
- Sandy: feels gritty, coarser sand grains can be seen. Sand grains make a grating sound as the
soil is rubbed between fingers and thumbs.
- Spongy: typical of loams; high organic matter also creates a spongy feel.
- Silky: the smooth slippery feel of silt.
- Resistance to shearing: how firm the soil feels as you form a ribbon between your thumb
and forefinger. A light clay is easy to ribbon and shear, a medium clay is firm and stiff, and a
heavy clay is very stiff and may take two hands to form a ribbon.
Texture Class Description Approx. Clay %
Sands Nil to slight coherence*. Ribbon of 0-15 mm Less than 10%
Sandy Loams Coherent but sandy* to touch. Ribbon of 15-25 mm 10-20%
Loams Coherent, spongy* or silky* and smooth feel with no
obvious sandiness. Ribbon of about 25 mm
About 25%
Clay Loams Coherent plastic* bolus. Ribbon of 40-50 mm 30-35%
Light clays Plastic bolus. Smooth to touch. Ribbon of 50-75 mm 35-40%
Medium to
heavy clays
Plastic bolus. Smooth to touch. Handles like normal to stiff
plasticine. Firm resistance to shear* and ribbon of 75 mm
or more.
40% or more
12
(5) HOW TO MEASURE SOIL TEXTURE
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit Other
• Water bottle
• Tape measure
• Mortar and pestle (optional)
STEPS
1. Take a sample of soil
sufficient to fit into the palm
of your hand.
3. Try to remove any organic
material e.g. plant roots, and
gravel from the sample.
5. Once it has been worked
sufficiently, form a ball (or
bolus) with the soil.
6. From the ball, form a ribbon
by pressing soil out between
the thumb and forefinger .
7. Once the ribbon is formed
(roughly 2mm thickness),
measure its length.
4. Moisten the soil with a little
water, and knead for a few
minutes. Do not overwork soil.
Texture
Class Description
Approx. Clay
%
Sands Nil to slight coherence*. Ribbon of 0-15 mm Less than 10%
Sandy
Loams
Coherent but very sandy* to touch. Ribbon of 15-25
mm
10-20%
Loams Coherent, spongy* or silky* and smooth feel with no
obvious sandiness. Ribbon of about 25 mm
About 25%
Clay Loams Coherent plastic* bolus. Ribbon of 40-50 mm 30-35%
Light clays Plastic bolus. Smooth to touch Ribbon of 50-75 mm 35-40%
Medium to
heavy clays
Plastic bolus. Smooth to touch. Handles like norma l
to stif f plasticine. Firm resistance to shear* and
ribbon of 75 mm or more.
40% or more
8. Use soil ribbon length, feel
and coherence to assign a
texture grade from table.
2. Break the sample up into
smaller aggregates e.g. by
using a mortar and pestle.
9. Example of assigning a
texture grade to a soil sample:
1. Feel
= Smooth, handles like plasticine, firm
resistance to shearing
2. Coherence
= Plastic bolus
3. Ribbon length (mm)
= 76 mm
Soil texture = Medium clay
*N.B. Record soil texture on Score Card
13
(6) HOW TO DETERMINE SOIL STRUCTURE
What is it?
The arrangement of the soil particles into aggregates or peds and the space between them. Soil
structure is assessed using the ‘drop – shatter’ test.
Why is it important?
Good soil structure is present when the soil naturally forms stable cohesive clusters of particles,
known as aggregates or peds. Medium and fine-size aggregates produce numerous pore spaces,
which encourage root penetration, water storage and the easy passage of water, nutrients, air
and soil organisms through the soil. Large aggregates (clods) are likely to inhibit growth through
reducing the volume of soil plants can access and therefore water, nutrients and air.
Note
• Refer to http://www.soil.org.au/vol3_a2.htm if you would like more information on soil
structure.
Good soil structure—
no significant clodding
Moderate soil structure—
some clodding and fine
aggregates
Poor soil structure—
mostly coarse clods
14
Good Condition: No significant
clodding, most aggregates are fine
with some medium aggregates
Moderate Condition: Most
aggregates are fine and medium
with up to a quarter of the total in
coarse firm clods
Poor Condition: Dominated by
coarse firm clods, with some
medium aggregates but very few
fine aggregates
(6) HOW TO DETERMINE SOIL STRUCTURE
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit Other
• Score card (p23) • Spade
• Wooden board
• Tarp/ garbage bag/ or sheet of plastic.
STEPS
NOTES
Step 3: Once a clod has shattered into small structural units it does not need dropping again. Do not
drop any piece of soil more than 3 times.
Other: Soil may also be unstructured, with individual soil particles or coarse fragments. This soil is
also in poor condition.
1. Lay out the tarp and place
the wooden board on top.
2. Dig an intact section of top
soil 15cm x15cm (approx.
shovel width) x10cm deep.
3. Drop the soil mass onto a
board 3 times from 1m
(waist height).
4. If large clods break away
after the 1st or 2nd drop,
drop them individually.
5. Transfer any spilt soil from
the tarp onto the board.
6. Grade the clods by placing
the coarsest at one end and
the finest at the other.
7. Assign the soil fragments to
three categories: coarse
(A), medium (B), fine (C).
8. Use the following pictures
and the key on the right to
assess the soil condition.
15
(7) ASSESSING SOIL AGGREGATE STABILITY
What is it?
Aggregate stability refers to the ability of a soil aggregate to resist stresses without breaking
apart. Stresses can be caused by cultivation or other management activities, or by natural
processes such as rainfall. Soil with good aggregate stability will maintain its aggregation in the
presence of stresses.
The aggregate stability of the soil is tested by observing whether slaking or dispersion occurs
after the aggregate is added to water.
Slaking is the breakdown of an aggregate of soil into much smaller aggregates on wetting, and
is caused by the swelling of clay and the sudden release of trapped gases.
Dispersion is the separation of soil particles from aggregates so the structure completely
disintegrates into individual particles.
Why is it important?
It is important to distinguish between these two types of instability, as they respond differently
to management. Soils that slake generally need more organic material (e.g. compost), whereas
dispersive soils may have a higher sodium content and require gypsum.
Soils that disperse (or slake badly) may set hard on drying and/or form a surface crust that stops
water penetration.
Note
• For this test, it is best to collect a separate bag of soil because the sample needs to be air
dried prior to assessing aggregate stability. Alternatively, soil used to assess soil structure,
can be used in this test once air-dried.
• This test should be done at home as you will need to observe for a number of hours.
A
C B
Diagram: The Emerson Test for Aggregate Stability. Dish A contains a dispersive soil, indicated
by the obvious ‘milky’ haze; Dish B is displaying slaking where the soil aggregates have collapsed;
Dish C shows normal aggregation with no obvious signs of significant slaking or dispersion.
16
D0 No dispersion
D1 Slight milkiness of the water near the
crumb—slight dispersion
D2 Obvious milkiness around the crumb—
moderate dispersion
D3 Considerable milkiness about half the
original volume of soil dispersed outwards—
strong dispersion
D4 Soil has disintegrated into sand grains and
a cloud of suspended clay—complete
dispersion
S0 lump remains intact
S1 lump collapses around edges but remains
mainly intact
S2 lump collapses into small (<2mm) angular
or round pieces
S3 lump collapses into visible single grains
(7) ASSESSING SOIL AGGREGATE STABILITY
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit Other
• Petri dish
• Water bottle
• Stopwatch
• Score card (p23)
• Newspaper,
plastic or
aluminum tray
STEPS
4. Note the time and do not
disturb the Petri dish once
soil is in it.
1. Air dry the sample before
testing to remove moisture
(i.e. leave it on a window
sill for 24-48 hours).
6. At 10 minutes and again at
2 hrs score the dispersion
of the soil as follows:
Dispersion—note the obvious
milkiness caused by total
particle separation.
7. Take a new pea-sized piece
of wet soil. Knead with your
fingers (no more than 10
seconds) until molded into
a ball, ensuring it is wet
through. Repeat steps 2 – 4,
and score as for slaking
using the scores R0 to R3.
5. After 1 minute and 10
minutes score the slaking of
the soil as follows:
Slaking—note the collapse in
soil aggregation.
2. Fill a Petri dish with water
and find a place where it
can be left for at least 2hrs.
3. Carefully place several pea-
sized crumbs (~5mm) of
dry soil in Petri dish.
NOTES
• When filling the Petri dish with water, ensure the water is distilled/demineralised. If distilled water
is not available use town or rain water. DO NOT USE BORE WATER.
17
(8) HOW TO MEASURE SOIL PH
What is it?
Soil pH is a measure of acidity and alkalinity of the soil. It is measured on a scale of 0-14 with 7
classed as neutral, less than 7 acidic and greater than 7 alkaline or basic.
Why is it important?
Soil pH affects the availability of nutrients that are needed for plants and soil micro-organisms.
Some nutrients become less available at high or low pH values, whereas others may become
over abundant at toxic levels. A pH of less than 5.5 indicates an acidic soil, while a pH over 8.5 is
considered alkaline.
This test provides a rapid estimate of your soil’s pH, and is especially useful for comparing
different parts of your farm, or different depths of soil.
Note
• This rapid pH test should not replace laboratory testing when guiding lime application.
• Test soil for acidity or alkalinity at the 2 sites on each transect line following the directions on
the kit.
Diagram: Soil pH values across the Murray Catchment at 0-10cm. Although subtle, there is some
distinction in soil acidity between the eastern and western catchment. Eastern soils tend to
increase in acidity due to factors such as higher rainfall and biomass production; this becomes
more evident with increasing depth (>10cm).
18
(8) HOW TO MEASURE SOIL PH
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit
• pH test kit
• Score card (p23)
STEPS
4. Stir soil with the plastic rod
until a paste forms.
1. Collect a small amount of
soil from sampling area.
7. Assign a soil pH value by
comparing the paste to the
colour card provided.
5. Dust the paste with the
white powder provided.
6. Wait approximately one
minute.
2. Place soil on the white test
plate provided.
3. Add 3 - 5 drops of indicator
liquid to soil.
8. Score accordingly:
pH 6-7 = Good
pH 5.5
pH 7.5-8.5 = Moderate
pH 5 or less
pH 9 or more = Poor
19
(9) HOW TO DETERMINE EARTHWORM POPULATIONS
What is it?
This test is a simple count of the number of earthworms found in the soil taken from the same
15 x 15 x 10 mini-pit that was dug for the soil structure test.
Why is it important?
Earthworms contribute to plant growth by breaking down coarse organic matter, producing
nutrients that are available to plant roots. Their excreta are nutrient-rich and improve soil
structure and infiltration. Their movement through the soil also aerates it, encouraging other
organisms to thrive. Along with the number of earthworms, the diversity and distribution of
species is also important, as each of the 6 commonly found species in south-eastern Australia
perform different roles and at different depths.
Earthworms tend to thrive in moist, well drained soils with high levels of freshly decomposing
organic material. They are light sensitive and their numbers reduce significantly when a soil is
cultivated and left fallow, or waterlogged. Studies suggest earthworm numbers are between 4
and 30 times higher under direct drilled conditions as opposed to a fully cultivated soil.
Note
• Refer to http://land.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soil_health_worm_wise
if you would like more information on earthworms.
Diagram: (Left) Worm Wise II (1995), a useful resource in earthworm identification and soil
health on farms and gardens. The resource is available as a web document on the Victorian
Department of Primary Industries website (above link). (Right) Earthworms improve soil fertility
through burrowing, casting and feeding.
20
7 or more = Good
3—6 = Moderate
2 or less = Poor
(9) HOW TO DETERMINE EARTHWORM POPULATIONS
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit
• Petri dish
• Score card (p23)
• Spade
• Large plastic basin (35 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm)
Other
STEPS
4. Place earthworms in the
Petri dish.
1. Dig a 15cm x15cm (approx.
shovel width) x10cm pit (as
in soil structure test).
5. Stop searching through the
soil in the basin once 7
earthworms are counted.
6. Calculate as follows:
2. Place all the soil from the
pit into the plastic tub.
3. Using your hands look for
earthworms, discarding the
dirt onto the ground.
21
(10) HOW TO ASSESS PADDOCK GROUNDCOVER
What is it?
Groundcover includes any material which covers and protects the soil. It is measured by
assessing the percentage of the soil surface that cannot be seen.
Groundcover includes:
• Shrubs and small trees only if less than 1 metre tall;
• Standing or flattened stubble where at least 30% is still attached to the soil;
• Any grasses, forbs or herbs that are alive or dead and are attached to the soil;
• Rocks and stones greater than 2 cm in diameter;
• Heavy leaf litter, sticks and decomposed organic matter partly incorporated into the soil;
• Biological soil crust organisms such as mosses, lichen, fungi, etc.
Why is it important?
• Groundcover plays a major role in limiting soil erosion, improving both water penetration
and water retention in soils, and maintaining soil health.
• High quality areas of native groundcover also have significant biodiversity value.
Note
• Unattached organic material that is not settled on the soil or is wind-borne (such as loose
straw or unattached roly-poly bushes) is not included.
20% Groundcover 40% Groundcover
70% Groundcover 90% Groundcover
Images: Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Making More From Sheep Program (2008)
22
(10) HOW TO ASSESS PADDOCK GROUNDCOVER
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
From Kit Other
• Groundcover recording sheet (p24)
• Score card (p23)
• Liquid paper or sticker
STEPS
1. Mark the toe of one of your boots with liquid paper so it can easily be seen.
2. Stand about 2 metres to the RIGHT of the transect line.
3. Ensure your transect line runs at a 45° ANGLE to any rows of stubble, so as you are walking
across any stubble rows, not up and down, or directly across.
4. Begin walking, staying parallel to the transect line.
5. Stop and record each time your marked boot touches the ground.
6. Use the groundcover recording sheet (p22) to record the soil surface under the boot mark.
7. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the entire length of the transect line.
8. At the end of the line turn around and stand 2m to the LEFT of the transect line.
9. Walk the entire length of the transect line repeating steps 4 to 6.
10. Use the groundcover recording sheet (p22) to calculate the percent groundcover.
NOTES
• This test is performed over double the length of each transect line.
• Avoid looking at the ground when you are not doing an assessment, to make sure the
assessment is not biased.
23
SCORE CARD
TEST Poor
1
Moderate
2
Good
3
Test Scores (1 – 3)
Site 1 Site 2 Average
Infiltration 32 mm/hr or less 33 – 274 mm/hr 275 mm/hr or more
Bulk density 1.6 or more 1.4 – 1.6 1.4 or less
Soil structure Poor structure Moderate structure Good structure
Earthworms 2 or less 3 - 6 7 or more
Slaking: lump collapses
into visible single
grains
Slaking: lump collapses
around edges or into
small pieces (<2mm)
Slaking: lump remains
intact
Dispersion: soil has
disintegrated into
individual grains and a
milky cloud of clay
Dispersion: obvious
milkiness around lump
Dispersion: no
milkiness around lump
Soil pH pH 5 or less
pH 9 or more
pH 5.5 pH 7.5 – 8.5
pH 6 - 7
Groundcover 50% or less 50% - 70% 70% or more
Aggregate
stability
Land
management unit:
Transect:
1 / 2
Date:
Soil type:
Soil texture:
Days since 10 mm rain: Soil moisture:
dry / moist / saturated
Location/management:
24
GR
OU
ND
CO
VE
R M
ON
ITO
RIN
G R
EC
OR
DIN
G S
HE
ET
Pro
ject ID
Num
ber:
_____
____
___
Tra
nsect N
um
ber:
_
___
____
_____
____
____
__
Nam
e o
f A
ssesso
r: _
_____
____
_____
____
____
Nam
e o
f Land
ho
lder:
___
_____
____
____
____
__
Pho
tos T
ake
n (
yes/n
o):
Date
: __
_ _
__
/ _
__
___ /
___ _
__
Paddo
ck
Nam
e: ___
____
_____
____
____
____
__
Tic
k
Gro
undco
ver
pre
sen
t
Cro
ss
G
roundco
ver
ab
sen
t
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
1
12
1
3
14
1
5
16
1
7
18
1
9
20
2
1
22
2
3
24
2
5
26
2
7
28
2
9
30
3
1
32
3
3
34
3
5
36
3
7
38
3
9
40
4
1
42
4
3
44
4
5
46
4
7
48
4
9
50
51
5
2
53
5
4
55
5
6
57
5
8
59
6
0
61
6
2
63
6
4
65
6
6
67
6
8
69
7
0
71
7
2
73
7
4
75
7
6
77
7
8
79
8
0
81
8
2
83
8
4
85
8
6
87
8
8
89
9
0
91
9
2
93
9
4
95
9
6
97
9
8
99
1
00
T
ota
l gro
undco
ver
perc
ent
=
%
Curr
ent
La
nd1u
se/
Gro
undco
ver
=
S
ele
ct
a la
nd1u
se f
rom
the f
ollo
win
g o
ptio
ns
1
Pa
stu
re (
volu
nta
ry a
nn
ua
l)
8
Co
ver
cro
p
N
ote
s:
2
Pa
stu
re (
mix
ed
an
nua
l/p
ere
nnia
l)
9
Ce
rea
l Stu
bb
le
3
P
astu
re (
pe
ren
nia
l m
ono
cu
lture
e.g
. lu
ce
rne
)
1
0
Le
gum
e c
rop
stu
bb
le
4
C
ano
la
1
1
Re
ce
ntly c
ultiv
ate
d
5
O
the
r le
gum
e c
rop
(e
.g. b
ea
ns)
1
2
Burn
t
6
C
ere
al c
rop
so
wn in
to e
xisti
ng
stu
bb
le
1
3
Ba
re g
rou
nd
7
C
ere
al c
rop
so
wn in
to c
ulti
vate
d o
r b
urn
t g
rou
nd
14
. O
the
r (l
ist in
no
tes s
ectio
n)
25
SITE PLAN: SITE 1
Landholder name: _____________________________________________________
Property name: _____________________________________________________
Paddock name: _____________________________________________________
Paddock land use: _____________________________________________________
Draw the location and direction of your transect line. Show any permanent infrastructure, buildings, fence-
lines, soil type changes, depressions or outcrops and any other reference points.
26
SITE PLAN: SITE 2
Landholder name: _____________________________________________________
Property name: _____________________________________________________
Paddock name: _____________________________________________________
Paddock land use: _____________________________________________________
Draw the location and direction of your transect line. Show any permanent infrastructure, buildings, fence-
lines, soil type changes, depressions or outcrops and any other reference points.
